Army Materiel Command Names NCO and Soldier of the Year

Story Highlights

Seven Soldiers competed for the Army Materiel Command's Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year "Best Warrior" competition.

Sgt. John Ferguson, a security specialist with the Army Sustainment Command Headquarters and Headquarters Company at Rock Island Arsenal, earns the honor of NCO "Best Warrior" and is presented with an Ipod touch along with a plaque, sword and gift certificates by Brig. Gen. Steven Feldmann, ASC deputy commanding general for operations. Ferguson competed with seven other Soldiers in a week long competition. He will represent Army Materiel Command at a Department of the Army competition in October.

Spc. Alex Perenishko, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command is presented with a sword and other gifs by Brig. Gen. Steven Feldmann, ASC deputy commanding general for operations, after winning Army Materiel Command's Soldier of the Year. He will represent Army Materiel Command at a Department of the Army competition in October.

ROCK ISLAND, Ill.-Seven Soldiers competed for the Army Materiel Command's Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year "Best Warrior" competition July 19-23 at Rock Island Arsenal.

Sgt. John Ferguson, a security specialist with the Army Sustainment Command Headquarters and Headquarters Company at Rock Island Arsenal, earned the honor of NCO "Best Warrior" in the week-long competition of physical and mental challenges with little sleep.

"I am shocked, excited and speechless," Ferguson said after being announced the winner. "This competition made me a better Soldier and more aware of my strengths and weaknesses."

Competitors endured a week-long challenge of events including M4 weapons qualification and reflexive firing, a warrior tasks and battle drills situational training exercise, land navigating, and an appearance before a panel of Command Sergeants Major from throughout AMC. The competition ended with 12-mile road march.

"The road march was the most challenging event because my feet had not completely healed from the ASC competition a few weeks ago," Ferguson said.

Ferguson said the competition was a great overall experience because of good competitors, sponsors and a good cadre to learn from.

Spc. Alex Perenishko, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, took the honor of AMC Soldier of the Year "Best Warrior."

"This was a great experience," Perenishko said. "I gained a lot of knowledge that I can take back to my unit."

Perenishko also said that the 12-mile road march was the most challenging event because he had never done that long of a march before.

Ferguson and Perenishko were presented trophies, gift certificates, an MP3 player, and a coin from retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Richard Kidd, at a ceremony on Friday. Both will compete for top honors at the Department of the Army level in October.